Method and apparatus for harvesting trees

ABSTRACT

A tree harvester includes a tree-processing apparatus for delimbing and cutting a tree into bolts of a predetermined length. The processing apparatus includes a delimbing mechanism, a cutting mechanism, and a clamping mechanism. The delimbing mechanism is operable to delimb the tree upon relative movement between the tree and the delimbing mechanism. The clamping mechanism is operable to engage the tree and pull the tree through the delimbing mechanism to thereby effect delimbing of the tree. The cutting mechanism is located between the clamping mechanism and the delimbing mechanism and is operable to cut the tree into bolts of a predetermined length after the tree has been delimbed and the bolts are then deposited in a bunk mechanism for storage The delimbing mechanism is fixedly supported on a treeprocessing boom which is pivotable relative to the vehicle about a substantially horizontal axis when a tree is placed in the delimbing mechanism so that the boom assumes a position which is parallel to the tree when the tree is placed in the delimbing mechanism. The cutting and clamping mechanisms are also supported on the boom and are movable along the boom relative to the delimbing mechanism to enable a tree to be sequentially clamped, delimbed and cut into bolts. Means is provided for sensing the diameter of the tree as the tree passes through the processing apparatus and which is operable to effect ejectment of the top of the tree from the apparatus when the diameter of the tree in the apparatus is below a predetermined diameter.

Duffty et a1.

Jan. 2, 1973 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HARVESTING TREES Inventors: BryanDuffty, Theodore B. Golob,

[73] Assignee: Eaton Yale 8: Towne Canada Ltd.,

London, Ontario, Canada [22] Filed: Dec. 7, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 95,592

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 14, 1970 Canada ..95528 [52]U.S. C1 ..144/3 D, 144/2 Z [51] Int. Cl. ..A0lg 23/02 [58] Field ofSearch...l44/2 Z, 3 D, 34 R, 34 E, 309 AC [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 3,059,677 10/1962 Busch et al. ..l44/3 D 3,269,437 8/1966Busch ..,.144/2 Z 3,443,611 5/1969 Jorgensen ....l.44/2 Z 3,464,4689/1969 Thompson et al..... ...l44/3 D 3,529,640 9/1970 Kamner ..144/3 D3,531,235 9/1970 Boyd ct al... ..l44/3 D 3,556,183 1/1971 Busch..l44/34R 3,620,272 11/1971 Eriksson ..144/3 D ABSTRACT A tree harvesterincludes a tree-processing apparatus for delimbing and cutting a tree,into bolts of a predetermined length. The processing apparatus includesa delimbing mechanism, a cutting mechanism, and a clamping mechanism.The delimbing mechanism is operable to delimb the tree upon relativemovement between the tree and the delimbing mechanism. The clampingmechanism is operable to engage the tree and pull the tree through thedelimbing mechanism to thereby effect delimbing of the tree. The cuttingmechanism is located between the clamping mechanism and the delimbingmechanism and is operable to cut the tree into bolts of a predeterminedlength after the tree has been delimbed and the bolts are then depositedin a bunk mechanism for storage The delimbing mechanism is fixedlysupported on a tree-processing boom which is pivotable relative to thevehicle about a substantially horizontal axis when a tree is placed inthe delimbing mechanism so that the boom assumes a position which isparallel to the tree when the tree is placed in the delimbing mechanism.The cutting and clamping mechanisms are also supported on the boom andare movable along the boom relative to the delimbing mechanism to enablea tree to be sequentially clamped, delimbed and cut into bolts. Means isprovided for sensing the diameter of the tree asthe tree passes throughthe processing apparatus and which is operable to effect ejectment ofthe top of the tree from the apparatus when the diameter of the tree 1nthe apparatus 15- below a predetermined diameter.

46 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures MTENTEDM 2 3,708,000

SHEET OlUF 13 /A/ VEN TOAS BRYAN DUFF T Y THEODORE 3. G01. 05 T SmA/LEYC. JF4S/A/SK/ QZ IC'K Z WAR 7 mgmmm 2 I975 sum UBUF 13 PATENTED AI 2013.700.000

SHEET USUF 13 0 Q 3 AWE/V7023 BRYAN DUFFTY O THEODOPf 5. GULflB arm/45yc, cJWS/A/JK/ QHCK Z WAR 7 PATENTEDJM 2 197a SHEET 07UF 13 0mm wP'A'TENTEDJAM 2 1973 SHEET OBUF 13' //Vl/E/V7'0R6 5/? WW DUFFTY THEODORE5. 60405 STANLEY c ems/MSW (7216K ZWART PATENTEDJRI 201s 3.708.000 sumUSUF 1s PATENTED 2573' 3,708,000

sum lUUF 13 1 ii i M 1 {6m \\M km n N9 H R PAIENIEDJM 2 197a SHEET 13UF13 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HARVESTING TREES The present inventionrelates to a method and an apparatus for use in harvesting trees, andmore specifically to a short wood harvester which is operable to felltrees, delimb the trees, and buck into bolts of a predetermined lengththe trunks of the delimbed trees.

Known tree harvesters which are operable to fell, delimb and cut thetrees into bolts have certain disadvantages associated therewith whichlead to inefficient operation thereof. One such known tree harvester isdisclosed in the Busch US. Pat. No. 3,269,437 and shows a mechanism formoving the tree which is mounted between a shear and a delimbingmechanism. The mechanism for moving the tree pulls the tree through thedelimbing mechanism and then pushes the tree into the shear. This methodof operation is very in efficient in that the mechanism for moving thetree must move two strokes before a bolt of the tree may be cuttherefrom. This is due to the fact that the first stroke pulls the trunkthrough the delimber and the second stroke, which pulls another portionof the trunk through the delimber, pushes the trunk through the shear.These extra strokes reduce the efficiency of the Busch machine andincrease the time it takes to harvest a tree. Busch also suffers fromthe disadvantage that to eject a portion of the tree which has a smalldiameter requires needless delimbing of that portion before that portionof the tree may be cut from the rest of the tree by the shear. This isdue to the fact that the shear is located behind the mechanism formoving the tree and the delimbing mechanism which necessitates movementof the tree through the delimber prior to movement through the shear.The delimber and shear of the Busch machine are fixed on a support sothat they may not move relative to each other. This construction resultsin a large overall length of the machine.

Another known tree harvester, disclosed in the Boyd et al. U.S. Pat. No.3,590,760, filed July 22, 1968 and assigned to the same assignee as thepresent invention, discloses a method and an apparatus for felling,delimbing and bucking a stand of trees. in the Boyd tree harvester, thedelimber and the means for moving the tree relative to the shear are thesame. During the delimbing operation, the delimber mechanism moves awayfrom the shear and out along the tree to effect delimbing thereof. Thistype of delimbing operation results in a large overall length of thetree harvester with the apparatus being relatively cumbersome inconfined quarters. Moreover, the operation of the machine is inefficientfor the same reasons as discussed hereinabove with respect to the Buschtimber harvester.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art bylocating the cutting mechanism between the delimber and the clampingmechanisms so that the clamping mechanism engages the tree and moves thetree through the cutting and the delimbing mechanisms during each stroketo the clamping mechanism. This construction enables one bolt to be cutfrom the tree after each stroke of the clamping mechanism and providesfor ejectment of a portion of the tree from the apparatus prior todelimbing of that portion. Moreover, the present invention provides forefficient processing of a tree by providing new and im-.

proved apparatus for delimbing the tree, for mounting the delimber, thecutting and the clamping mechanisms, and for storing the bolts afterthey are cut from the tree.

Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved apparatus for use in harvesting trees which is capable offelling and processing a stand of trees and which overcomes thehereinabovediscussed disadvantages by providing an efficient and compactapparatus for use in harvesting trees.

7 Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved apparatus for use in harvesting trees including a support, adelimbing mechanism mounted on the support for delimbing a tree uponmovement of the tree relative thereto, a clamping mechanism mounted onthe support and movable toward and away from the delimbing mechanism forrespectively engaging a tree and moving the tree relative to thedelimbing mechanism, and a cutting mechanism mounted on the supportbetween the clamping and the delimbing mechanisms for cutting the treeinto bolts of a predetermined length.

A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved apparatus for use in harvesting trees, as noted in the nextpreceding paragraph further including means for moving the cuttingmechanism toward the delimbing mechanism upon movement of the clampingmechanism toward the delimbing mechanism so as to enable the apparatusto have a reduced overall length which provides for efficient operationin confined quarters.

A still further aspect of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved apparatus for use in harvesting trees including a delimbingmechanism for delimbing a felled tree upon relative movement between thetree and the delimbing mechanism and which includes a first delimbingknife for delimbing a first portion of the outer circumference of thetree, a second delimbing knife for delimbing a second portion of theouter circumference of the tree, means for effecting movement of thesecond delimbing knife into engagement with the tree and for maintainingthe second delimbing knife in engagement with the tree as the diameterof the portion of the tree with which it engaged varies and wherein thesecond delimbing knife includes means for locating the center of thetree in a predetermined plane and maintaining the center of the tree inthe plane as the tree is delimbed.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved apparatus for use in harvesting trees, as noted in the nextpreceding paragraph, wherein. the delimbing mechanism further includes athird delimbing knife for delimbing a third portion of the outercircumference of the tree, and the second and third delimbing knives aresupported for pivotable movement about a common axis from a retractedposition to a working position in which the first and second delimbingknives engage with the tree to effect delimbing thereof.

A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved apparatus for use in harvesting trees including a delimbingmechanism for delimbing a tree which is moved relative thereto and whichincludes a first delimbing knife for delimbing a first portion of theouter circumference of the tree, a second delimbing knife for delimbinga second portion of the outer circumference of the tree, a thirddelimbing knife for delimbing a third portion of the outer circumferenceof the tree, means for moving the second and third delimbing knivesrelative to the first delimbing knife into working engagement with thetree and for maintaining the second and third delimbing knives againstthe tree to effect delimbing thereof as the diameter of the portion ofthe tree with which they are engaged varies and wherein the second andthird delimbing knives are supported for pivotal movement about a commonaxis.

A still further aspect of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved apparatus for use in harvesting trees including a delimbingmechanism for delimbing a tree upon movement therebetween, a cuttingmechanism for cutting the tree into bolts, ejector means for ejecting aportion of the tree from the delimbing mechanism when the portion ofthe'tree in the delimbing mechanism is below a predetermined diameter.sensing means responsive to movement of a member which is part of thedelimbing mechanism for sensing the diameter of the portion of the treein the delimbing mechanism, and means responsive to the sensing meansfor actuating the ejector means to thereby effect ejection of theportion of the tree in the delimbing mechanism when the portion of thetree has a diameter which is less than a predetermined diameter.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved apparatus for use in harvesting trees including a support, atree-processing boom carried by the support, a delimbing mechanismcarried by the boom for delimbing a tree upon relative movementtherebetween, a clamping mechanism carried by the boom for moving thetree relative to the delimbing mechanism, and means providing forpivotable movement of the boom about a substantially horizontal axis inresponse to the weight of a tree located in the delimbing mechanism sothat the boom will assume an angular relationship with a reference planewhich is the same as the angular relationship of the tree with thereference plane so that the boom will assume a position which issubstantially parallel to the tree disposed in the delimbing mechanism.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedapparatus for use in harvesting trees including a tree-processing meansfor delimbing a tree and cutting the tree into bolts of a predeterminedlength and a bunk mechanism for receiving, storing and dumping the boltsof the tree and wherein the bunk mechanism includes support means, atleast a pair of substantially arcuate members extending downwardly fromthe support means and cooperating to support the bolts and a mechanismfor moving the members endwise upwardly relative to the support means tothereby impart a rolling motion to the bolts as the bolts are dumped soas to prevent the bolts from becoming wedged in the bunk mechanism.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention should becomeapparent from the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment of the present invention made with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part of the specification and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tree harvester mechanism showing thetreeengaging boom felling a standing tree;

FIG.-2 is a top schematic representation of the tree harvester mechanismshowing the treeengaging boom locating the tree in the receivermechanism;

FIG. 3 is a top schematic view of the tree harvester mechanism showingthe tree engaged in the delimber mechanism and the clamping and cuttingmechanisms moved toward the delimber to enable the clamping mechanism toengage with the tree;

FIG. 4 is a top schematic view illustrating the clamping mechanismpulling the tree through the delimbing mechanism;

FIG. 5 is atop schematic view showing the bolt of the tree in the bunkmechanism and the ejector mechanism energized to effect ejectment of theremnant of the tree from the delimbing mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the delimber and receiver mechanisms takenapproximately along the line 6-6 of FIG. 1 and showing a tree located inthe receiver mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the delimber and receiver mechanisms of FIG. 6illustrating the receiver mechanism in an energized position to therebylocate the tree in the delimber mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the delimber mechanism showing the delimbingknives in a closed position and engaging the outer circumference of thetree and the tree centered in the delimbing mechanism;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the delimber mechanism of FIG. 8 illustratingonly the delimbing knives engaging a tree which has a smaller diameterthan the diameter of the tree of FIG. 8 and showing the tree centered inthe delimbing mechanism;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the delimber mechanism taken along the line10-10 of FIG. 1 showing the first delimber knife or ejector actuated tothereby eject the remnant of the tree from the delimbing mechanism;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the delimber and receiver mechanisms takenapproximately along the line 11-11 of FIG. 6;

FIG. '12 is a side view of the delimber mechanism more fullyillustrating the fluid means for moving and maintaining the seconddelimber knife in engagement with a tree taken approximately along theline l2l2 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13.is a top view of the tree-processing boom illustrating theclamping mechanism and the cutting mechanism in a position located awayfrom the delimbing mechanism;

FIG. 14 is a top view of the tree-processing boom of FIG. 13 and showingthe clamping and cutting mechanism moved toward the delimbing mechanism;

FIG. 15 is a-side view of the tree-processing boom FIG. 18 is a top viewof the bunk mechanism for storing the bolts of the tree;

FIG. 19 is a rear view of the bunk mechanism taken approximately alongthe line 1919 of FIG. 18 and showing the arcuate arms in a closedposition in full lines and showing the arms in an open position indotted lines;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view of the means for absorbing theshock of the bolts when they fall from the cutting mechanism onto thearcuate arms of the bunk mechanism;

FIG. 21 is a schematic representation of the cycle of the treeprocessing mechanism; and

FIG. 22 is a schematic representation of receiver, delimber, cutting andclamping mechanisms and the control means associated therewith.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in harvestingtrees, and more specifically to a short wood tree harvester which isoperable to fell and process a stand of trees. The short wood treeharvester includes processing apparatus for delimbing a tree and cuttingit into bolts of a predetermined length. The apparatus includes adelimbing mechanism for delimbing the tree, a clamping mechanism forengaging the tree and moving the tree relative to the delimbingmechanism to effect delimbing thereof and a cutting mechanism forcutting the tree into a plurality of bolts of a predetermined length.After the tree is felled, it is moved into the delimbing mechanism andthe clamping mechanism engages therewith and pulls the tree through thedelimbing mechanism to effect delimbing thereof. The cutting mechanismthen cuts a bolt of a predetermined length from the portion of the treewhich has been delimbed and drops the bolt into a bunk mechanism. Theclamp then moves forward to engage a second portion of the tree and pullit through the delimbing mechanism. The cutting mechanism then cuts offthe second portion of the tree and drops it into the bunk mechanism.This process is repeated until a sensing mechanism, which is associatedwith the delimbing mechanism, senses the portion of the tree which is inthe delimbing mechanism to be below a predetermined diameter. Thesensing mechanism then energizes an ejector mechanism which ejects theremnant of the tree from the processing apparatus. The above sequence isrepeated until the bunk mechanism is full. When the bunk mechanism isfull, bolts of the tree may then be transported to a station where theyare dumped from the bunk mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 1, a short wood tree harvester is illustrated. Thetree harvester 10 includes a support structure 12 which preferably maybe a self-propelled vehicle mounted on a pair of tracks 14. The vehicle12 includes an operator station 13 which includes suitable controls forenergizing and operating the apparatus associated therewith.

Disposed on an upper portion of the vehicle 12 is a tree-engaging ortree-harvesting boom assembly 16. The boom assembly 16 includes a shear18 and a clamping means 20 mounted on one end thereof and which areoperable to cut and grip a standing tree, respectively. The boomassembly 16 is suitably pivoted about a base portion 22 by conventionalmeans which are not illustrated. The shear l8 and the clamp 20 arelocated on a support member 21 which is pivotally attached about thepivot pin 26 to the main boom member 15. A fluid cylinder 24, pivotallyattached to the member 15, is operatively associated with the supportmember 21 so as to be able to pivot the shear l8 and the clamp 20 aboutthe pivot pin 26 in a wellknown manner upon pressurization thereof.

The upper portion of the tree-harvesting boom 15 is pivotally supportedon a support structure 17 by the pivot pin 33. A fluid cylinder 28 isoperable to pivot the boom 15 about the pivot pin 33 and a fluidcylinder 35 is operable to pivot the support structure 17 about thepivot pin 31 which is suitably attached by a bracket to the base 22.Thus, it should be apparent that the boom assembly 16 and the clamp 20and shear 18, mounted thereon, are pivotable in a vertical plane aboutthe pivot pins 26, 33 and 31 and in a horizontal plane about the base22. The pivotable construction of the boom assembly 16 is well known andenables the clamp 20 and the shear 18 to grip and shear trees which aresituated at various angles relative to the ground. While a specificstructure for the boom assembly 16 has been illustrated, it should berealized that many analogous structures can be provided.

Located on the vehicle 12 is a receiver mechanism 30 which is operableto receive a felled tree from the clamp 20 on the boom 16. After a treehas been cut by the shear 18, the clamp 20 continues to grip the treeand the boom assembly 16 effects movement of the tree to the positionshown in FIG. 2 to locate the tree in the receiver mechanism 30, theclamp 20 is opened and boom assembly 16 is moved to engage anotherstanding tree.

Disposed adjacent the receiver mechanism 30 is a delimbing mechanism 34which is operable to receive the tree from the receiver mechanism 30upon energization of the receiver mechanism 30. When the receivermechanism 30 is energized, the tree is transferred to the delimbingmechanism 34 and assumes the position illustrated in FIG. 3. Thedelimbing mechanism 34 is mounted upon a processing boom 38 which ispivotally supported by the vehicle 12 so that the boom 38 will assume aposition which is substantially parallel to the position assumed by thetree when the tree is engaged in the delimbing mechanism 34.

Mounted on the boom 38 is a cutting mechanism 36 which is operable tocut the tree into a plurality of bolts of a predetermined length and aclamping mechanism 40 which'is movable along the boom and is operable toengage with the tree and move the tree relative to the cutting mechanismand the delimbing mechanisms. As illustrated in FIG. 3, when a tree isreceived in the delimbing mechanism 34, the clamping mechanism 40 ismoved toward the delimbing mechanism 34 to engage with the butt of thetree which is disposed therein. When the clamping mechanism 40 is movedtoward the delimbing mechanism 34, the cutting mechanism 36 is alsomoved toward the delimbing mechanism 34 to thereby enable the clampingmechanism to grip a butt portion of the tree which is contiguous withthe delimbing mechanism.

After the clamping mechanism 40 engages with the butt of the treelocated in the delimbing mechanism 34, the clamping mechanism isenergized so as to move the tree through the delimbing mechanism 34 tothe position shown in FIG. 4. Movement of the tree relative to thedelimbing mechanism 34 effects delimbing of the portion of the treewhich passes through the delimbing mechanism. At the same time, thecutting mechanism 36 moves away from the delimbing mechanism 34 to itsposition illustrated in FIG. 5. The delimbed portion of the tree is thencut by the cutting mechanism 36 and the clamping mechanism 40 is openedto allow the bolt of the tree to drop into a bunk mechanism 42, as shownin FIG. 5. The clamping mechanism 40 and the cutting mechanism 36 arethen moved to their position shown in FIG. 3, and the clamping mechanism40 engages a second portion of the tree which is in the delimbingmechanism 34. The clamping mechanism 40 then pulls the next sequentialportion of the tree through the delimbing mechanism 34 to effectdelimbing thereof and the cutting mechanism 36 moves away from thedelimbing mechanism. The cutting mechanism 36 is again energized and theclamping mechanism 40 is opened to drop another bolt of a predeterminedlength in the bunk mechanism 42. This sequence of delimbing and cuttingsequential portions of the tree is repeated until a sensing mechanismsenses the diameter of the portion of the tree in the delimbingmechanism 34 to be below a predetermined diameter. When this occurs, theportion of the tree which remains in the delimbing mechanism 34 after abolt has been cut therefrom will be ejected, as illustrated in FIG. 5,by an ejector mechanism which comprises part of the delimbing mechanism34.

The shear 18 and the clamp are operable to fell a plurality of treesindependently of the processing apparatus for delimbing and cutting thetree into bolts. This allows one tree to be felled while another tree isbeing delimbed and cut into bolts by the processing apparatus to therebyprovide for speedy harvesting and processing of trees by the treeharvester 10. While the shear l8 and the clamp 20 have not beendescribed in detail, their construction is well known and theiroperation will not be described in detail herein.

The receiver mechanism 30, more fully illustrated in FIG. 6, includes areceiver member 50 upon which the base or trunk of the tree ,is locatedby the clamp 20 mounted on the boom 16. Receiver member 50 includes apair of knife edges 52 thereon, as illustrated in FIG. 11, which engagewith the trunk of the tree when the tree is placed on the receivermember 50 to position the tree and prevent the trunk of the tree fromsliding relative to the receiver member 50. The receiver member 50 ispivotable about the pivot pin 54 to its position shown in FIG. 7 toeffect movement of the tree from the receiver mechanism 30 to thedelimbing mechanism 34.

The receiver member 50 is pivotable about the pivot pin 54 by means ofthe fluid cylinder 62. The fluid cylinder 62 includes a piston rod 64which is attached to the arm 56 of the member 50 by a yoke 60 and apivot pin 58. The lower end of the cylinder 62 is pivotably supported bya bracket about the pivot pin 70. The pivot pin 70 is supported in aflange 71 disposed on the frame 68 of the machine 10. When the cylinder62 is pressurized, the piston rod 64 moves axially therefrom to effectmovement of the receiver member 50 about the pivot pin 54. The pivotalmovement of the receiver member 50 will effect movement of the trunk ofthe tree from the receiver mechanism 30 to the delimbing mechanism 34.

The delimbing mechanism 34 includes a first delimbing knife 80, a seconddelimbing knife 82 and a third delimbing knife 84=The delimbing knives80, 82, and 84 cooperate to effect removal of the limbs from the treeupon relative movement of the tree and the delimbing mechanism 34.

The first delimbing knife 80, illustrated in FIGS. 8-1l, includesarcuate knife edges 86 for effecting delimbing of a first portion of theouter circumference of the tree and a horizontally disposed portion 89which is operable to receive the trunk of the tree from the receivermechanism 50 when the receiver mechanism is energized to move the treeinto the delimbing mechanism. The first delimbing knife assumes theposition shown in FIG. 8 during the delimbing operation and does notmove during delimbing of the tree as the tree moves relative to thedelimbing mechanism 34. The second delimbing knife 82 includes thearcuate knife edges 140 and 142 thereon which cooperate to effectdelimbing of spaced apart portions of the outer circumference of thetree as the tree passes therebetween. The delimbing knife 82 ispivotable about the shaft 94 to enable the knife 82 to engage with thetree located in the delimbing mechanism. The third delimbing knife 84includes arcuate knife edges 88 thereon which also effect delimbing on aportion of the outer circumference of the tree as the tree passesthrough the delimbing mechanism 34. When the tree is moved from thereceiver mechanism 30 to the delimbing mechanism 34, the second andthird delimbing knives 82 and 84, respectively, assume the positionshown in FIG. 7.

The second and third delimbing knives 82 and 84, respectively, aresupported for pivotal movement on the shaft member 94. A linkage 101,illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 12, is operably associated with the seconddelimbing knife to effect pivotal movement of the second delimbing knifeabout the shaft 94 to effect engagement of the knife with the outercircumference of the tree. A fluid cylinder 108 is operativelyassociated with the linkage 101 and includes a piston rod 110 which ispivotably attached to the frame by a pivot pin 112. The other end of thefluid cylinder 108 is pivotably attached to one end of the link members104 by the pivot pin 106. The link members 104 are supported forrotation about the pivot pins 107 so that when the fluid cylinder 108 ispressurized, clockwise rotation of the link members 104 about the pivotpins 107 will be effected. The links 104 are pivotably attached to linkmembers by pivot pins 102 and the link members 100 are pivotallyattached to the base 92 of the second delimbing knife 82 by the pivotpin 98. Thus, actuation of the fluid cylilder 108 effects a clockwiserotation of the link members 104 which moves the pivot pins 102 and thelower end of the link members 100 upwardly and to the left to theirpositions the diameter of the tree, the tree will be located somewherealong the horizontal surface 89 of the first delimbing knife 80 afterthe tree is transferred to the delimbing mechanism by the receivermechanism 30. The pivotal movement of the second delimbing knife willmove the trunk of the tree along the horizontal portion 89 of the firstdelimbing knife until the tree engages with the knife edges 86 thereof.

When the tree is located in the delimbing mechanism, as shown in FIGS. 8and 9, the clamping mechanism 40 will engage with the tree and pull thetree through the delimbing knives. As the tree moves through thedelimbing knives, the diameter of the portion of the tree engaged in thedelimbing mechanism will vary, and more specifically it will normallydecrease as the top portion of the tree moves into the delimbingmechanism 34. It is, therefore, necessary to provide means to maintainthe delimbing knives in engagement with the outer circumference of thetree as the diameter of the tree varies. To this end, the seconddelimbing knife 82 is associated with a fluid cylinder 116. The pistonrod of the cylinder is pivotally attached to the frame by the pivot pin112. The opposite end of the cylinder 116 includes a flange portion 132which is connected by a pivot pin 134 to link member 104 which isfixedly connected to the pivot pin 106. The cylinder 116 whenpressurized exerts a force in the downward direction on the pin member134 which effects rotation of the links 104 in a clockwise directionabout the pivot pins 107 to thereby maintain the delimbing knife 82 inengagement with the tree as the diameter of the tree varies. Thus, afterthe fluid cylinder 108 is pressurized to rotate the second delimbingknife 82 to locate the tree in the delimbing mechanism, the fluidcylinder 108 may be depressurized. The fluid cylinder 116 will then bepressurized to maintain the second delimbing knife in engagement withthe tree as the diameter of the portion of the tree in the delimbingmechanism varies.

Another fluid cylinder 118 is operatively associated with the thirddelimbing knife and is operable to move the third delimbing knife intoengagement with the tree. The fluid cylinder 118 is pivotally supportedabout the pivot pin 128 by the bracket 130 which is supported on aportion of the frame member 68. The cylinder 118 includes a piston rod126 which has the yoke 122 located on one end thereof and which is'pivotally connected by a pivot pin 124 to an arm 120 of the base of thethird delimbing knife 84. The cylinder 118 is operable to rotate theknife 84 about the shaft 94 in a clockwise direction to move the thirddelimbing knife in engagement with the outer circumference of the tree.The fluid cylinder 118 will be energized during the delimbing operationto thereby maintain the third delimbing knife in engagement with theouter circumference of the tree as the diameter of the portion of thetree in the delimbing mechanism varies.

The cylinders 116 and 118 are preferably pressurized after the cylinder108 moves the tree into engagement with the arcuate portion 86 of thefirst delimbing knife. The cylinders 116 and 118 are preferablyaccumulator cylinders so as to act in a spring-like manner to maintainthe second and third delimbing knives in engagement with the tree as thediameter of the portion of the tree in the delimbing mechanism varies.It should be apparent that initially the fluid cylinder 108 ispressurized to move the tree into the delimbing mechanism and thecylinders 1 16 and 1 18 are pressurized to maintain the delimbing knifein engagement with the tree and the fluid cylinder 108 is depressurized.

The second and third delimbing knives are both rotatable about the shaft94 and are rotatable relative to each otherso as to accommodate trees ofvarious cross-sectional configurations. After a tree has been delimbedand it is desired to open the delimbing mechanism to eject the remnantof the tree, the fluid cylinder 108 is pressurized to extend its pistonrod to thereby effect counterclockwise rotation of the second delimbingknife 82 about the shaft 94. The cylinder 108 will overpower thecylinders 116, 118, which act as springs, to effect this movement.Located on the second delimbing knife 82 is a pin member 87 which isoperable to engage with the third delimbing knife 84 to thereby effectcounterclockwise rotation of the second delimbing knife so as to openthe delimbing mechanism 34 to enable the top portion of the tree to beejected therefrom.

The second delimbing knife 82 is operable to center the longitudinalaxis of the tree between the delimbing knives 80, 82 and 84 so as toprovide for efficient delimbing of the tree as the tree passes throughthe delimbing mechanism 34. The centering of the tree between the knivesis accomplished by the second delimbing knife 82 locating thelongitudinal axis of the tree in a substantially horizontal planedefined by the dotted line 93, as illustrated in FIGS. 6-9.

The centering of the tree in the substantially horizontal center plane93 is accomplished by the concave surface portion 140 and convex surfaceportion 142 of the delimbing knife 82. After initial engagement of thetree with the delimbing knife 82 and engagement of the tree with thearcuate portion 86 of the first delimbing knife 80, the delimbing knife82 will continue to rotate about the shaft 94 asthe diameter of the treedecreases. The continued rotation of the delimbing knife 82 will causethe convex portion142 of the delimbing knife to move upwardly relativeto the horizontal plane 93 and the concave surface 140 of the delimbingknife 82 to move downwardly relative to the horizontal plane 93. Thus,as the diameter of the tree varies, the surface portions 140 and 142 ofthe knife 82 will cooperate to maintain the center of the tree on thehorizontal plane 93. Accordingly, it should be apparent that theconfiguration of the knife 82 is such that as the-knife rotates, theconvex portion 142 thereof will raise the bottom of the tree relative tothe first delimbing knife to thereby maintain the center of the tree inthe horizontal plane 93.

As viewed in FIG. 8, when the delimbing knife 82 engages with a treehaving a relatively large diameter, the second delimbing knife 82 willnot pivot to a large extent about the shaft 94. However, when thedelimbing knife 82 engages with a tree having a smaller diameter, asshown in FIG. 9, further rotation of the delimbing knife 82 about theshaft 94 will occur to thereby cause the convex portion 142 of the knife82 to raise the bottom portion of the tree relative to the horizontalplane 93. Moreover, at the same time, the concave portion of thedelimbing knife 82 will engage with the upper portion of the tree andcooperate with the convex portion 142 to maintain the center of the treein the horizontal plane 93. It should be apparent that the first, secondand third delimbing knives cooperate to delimb different arcuateportions of the outer circumference of the tree and that the seconddelimbing knife cooperates with the first delimbing knife tosubstantially center the tree along the horizontal plane 93.

The delimbing mechanism 34 is mounted on one end of the tree-processingboom 38 which is disposed along one side of the support or vehicle 12.Also located on the boom 38 is the clamping mechanism 40 which issuitably journaled on the boom member 38 by a plurality of bearings 158.The clamping mechanism 40, as illustrated in FIG. 17, includes a firstjaw 154 which is formed on a part of the body 174 of the clamp 40. Asecond jaw member 150 is suitably mounted on a pivot pin 160 which isdisposed on an arm 157 of the clamping mechanism 40. The first andsecond jaw members 150 and 154 include a plurality of teeth 152 and 156,respectively, thereon for gripping a portion of the tree. A fluidcylinder 170 is pivotally supported on the body 174 of the clampingmechanism 40 by a pivot pin 172. The fluid cylinder 170 includes apiston rod 168 having a yoke 164 disposed on one end thereof. The yoke164 is pivotally connected with an end 151 of the jaw member 150 by apivot pin 162. When the fluid cylinder 170 is pressurized, the pistonrod 168 moves axially therefrom and effects counterclockwise rotation ofthe second jaw member 150 about the pivot pin 160 to bring the jawmember 150 into engagement with a tree that may be located therebetween.Continued rotation of the jaw member 150 effects engagement of the treewith the first jaw member 154 and the teeth 152 and 156 of the jawmembers grip the tree to securely hold the tree therebetween. After thetree is securely gripped by the clamping mechanism 40, the clampingmechanism is moved away from the delimbing mechanism 34 to pull the treetherethrough and effect delimbing of the tree by means to be describedhereinbelow.

The cutting mechanism 36 is also mounted on the tree-processing boom 38and is operable to effect cutting of a tree located between the jawmembers thereof. The cutting mechanism 36 includes a pair of jaw members180 and 182 which are pivotally mounted about the pivot pins 186 and188, respectively, which are supported by the base 184 of the cuttingmechanism 36. The jaws 180 and 182 include blade members 190 and 192,respectively, which are operable to effect cutting of the tree uponrotation of the jaw members.

A fluid cylinder 194 is operatively associated with the jaws andincludes a piston rod 196. The piston rod 196 is connected by a pinmember 198 to one arm assembly 200 and the cylinder 194 is alsopivotally connected by a pin 198 to the other arm assembly 200. Each ofthe arm assemblies 200 are pivotable about a pivot pin 202. The armassemblies 200 are pivotally connected at their respective lower ends tothe jaws 180 and 182 by pivot pins 204. When the fluid cylinder 194 ispressurized, the arm members 200 are rotated about the pivot pins 202and the jaw members are rotated about the pivot pins 186 and 188 toenable the blades 190 and 192 to cut a tree located therebetween.

The jaws 180 and 182 include shoulder portions 206 and 208,respectively, which are operable to engage with a pair of stop members210 and 212, respectively. After a tree has been cut, fluid cylinder 194will be pressurized to cause the piston rod 196 to move back into thecylinder 194. This will cause the jaw members 180 and 182 to rotate awayfrom each other about the pivot members 186 and 188 until the shoulderportion 206 engages with the stop member 210 and the shoulder portion208 with the stop member 212. The engagement of the shoulder portionwith the stop members will prevent further rotation of the jaw members180 and 182 and provide for positive positioning of the jaw members 180and 182.

The clamping mechanism 40 is mounted on the treeprocessing boom 38 formovement toward and away from the delimbing mechanism 34 by a fluidcylinder and pulley mechanism, generally designated 220 in FIGS. 13 and14. The mechanism includes a fluid cylinder 222 which is secured by ayoke 224 to the boom 38. The fluid cylinder 222 includes a piston rod276 which is operatively connected to a carriage 231 at one end thereof.The carriage 231 supports a pair of pulleys 230 and 268 and includes aguide means 233 for guiding the axial reciprocal movement of the pistonrod 276 and the carriage 231 in the boom mechanism 38. Located at oneend of the boom mechanism 38 is a pair of pulley members 232 and 234. Acable 238 is suitably attached to one side of the clamping mechanism 40,around the lower pulley 234 and around the pulley member 230 which issupported by the carriage 231. The cable 238 then extends around theupper pulley 232 and is connected to a bracket 240 supported on thecarriage mechanism 231. When the fluid cylinder 222 is pressurized tomove the clamping mechanism 40 toward the delimbing mechanism 34, thepiston rod 276 moves inwardly of the cylinder 222 to thereby move thecarriage 231 away from the delimbing mechanism 34. Movement of thecarriage away from the delimbing mechanism 34 causes the cable 238 topull the clamping mechanism 40 toward the delimbing mechanism 34 to theposition shown in FIG. 14.

Located on the boom at the end away from the delimbing mechanism 34 is apair of pulley members 250 and 252. Attached to the clamping mechanism40 by a suitable fastener 248 is a cable 278 which extends around thelower pulley member 252, around the pulley member 268 supported on thecarriage 231, and around the upper pulley member 250. The cable 278 thenextends to the carriage 231 and is suitably attached to a bracket 264supported on the carriage member 231. When the fluid cylinder 222 .ispressurized to effect movement of the clamping mechanism 40 away fromthe delimbing mechanism 34, the cylinder 222 is pressurized to'effectmovement of the piston rod outwardly therefrom. Movement of the pistonrod 276 outwardly from the cylinder 222 effects movement of the carriage231 toward the delimber mechanism 34. Movement of the carriage 231toward the delimbing mechanism 34 causes the cable 278 to pull theclamping mechanism 40 away from the delim bing mechanism 34 to itsposition illustrated in FIG. 13. Movement of the clamping mechanism 40away from the delimbing mechanism 34 will enable the clamping mechanism.40 to pull a tree which is gripped by the jaws thereon through thedelimbing mechanism 34 to thereby effect delimbing of the tree.

1. Apparatus for processing trees comprising a support, treeprocessingmeans carried by said support, said tree-processing means including adelimbing mechanism for effecting delimbing of the tree upon relativemovement of the tree and said delimbing mechanism, a tree-clampingmechanism for engaging the tree, means for moving said tree clampingmeans toward and away from said delimbing mechanism, a tree-cuttingmechanism located between said clamping mechanism and said delimbingmechanism for cutting predetermined lengths from the tree afterdelimbing thereof, and means for moving Said tree-cutting mechanismtoward and away from said delimbing mechanism which are responsive tomovement of said clamping mechanism relative to said delimbing mechanismso that said cutting mechanism moves toward said delimbing mechanismwhen said clamping mechanism moves toward said delimbing mechanism andsaid cutting mechanism moves away from said delimbing mechanism whensaid clamping mechanism moves away from said delimbing mechanism. 2.Apparatus for processing trees as defined in claim 1 further including atree-processing boom carried by said support and which is operable tosupport said delimbing mechanism, said tree-clamping mechanism and saidtree-cutting mechanism thereon.
 3. Apparatus for processing trees asdefined in claim 1 further including a bunk mechanism which is operableto receive and store a plurality of bolts which have been cut from thetree after delimbing thereof.
 4. Apparatus for processing trees asdefined in claim 2 wherein said tree-processing boom is pivotablerelative to said support so as to assume a position which issubstantially parallel to a tree which is disposed in said delimbingmechanism.
 5. Apparatus for processing trees as defined in claim 1further including sensing means for sensing the diameter of a portion ofthe tree which is being processed by said tree-processing means andejector means responsive to said sensing means for ejecting the remnantof the tree from said delimbing mechanism when said sensing means sensesthe diameter of the tree to be below a predetermined diameter. 6.Apparatus for processing trees as defined in claim 1 wherein saidsupport comprises a self-propelled vehicle.
 7. Apparatus for processingtrees as defined in claim 6 further including a boom having a shear anda clamp thereon for respectively cutting and gripping a standing tree tothereby fell the tree and being operable to grip the felled tree andtransfer the tree to said tree-processing means.
 8. Apparatus forharvesting trees comprising a support, a delimbing mechanism carried bythe support for delimbing a tree, a cutting mechanism carried by thesupport for cutting a tree into bolts of a predetermined length, aclamping mechanism for clamping a tree and moving the tree relative tosaid delimbing mechanism to effect delimbing thereof and positioning thetree relative to said cutting mechanism to enable said cutting mechanismto cut the tree into bolts of a predetermined length, said cuttingmechanism being interposed between said delimbing mechanism and saidclamping mechanism, means mounting said clamping mechanism for movementrelative to said support, means for effecting movement of said clampingmechanism relative to said support toward said delimbing mechanism toengage the tree and away from said delimbing mechanism to advance thetree through said delimbing mechanism and relative to said cuttingmecHanism, means mounting said cutting mechanism for movement relativeto said support, and means for effecting movement of said cuttingmechanism toward said delimbing mechanism responsive to movement of saidclamping mechanism toward said delimbing mechanism.
 9. Apparatus forharvesting trees as defined in claim 8 further including atree-processing boom carried by said support and which is operable tosupport said delimbing mechanism, said cutting mechanism and saidclamping mechanism.
 10. Apparatus for harvesting trees as defined inclaim 9 wherein said tree-processing boom is pivotable relative to saidsupport so as to assume a position which is substantially parallel tothe position of a tree received in said delimbing mechanism. 11.Apparatus for harvesting trees as defined in claim 10 further includingmeans for biasing said boom about the pivot point thereof so that saidtree-processing boom acts substantially like a massless body when itpivots about said pivot point to assume a position which issubstantially parallel to a tree received in said delimbing mechanism.12. Apparatus for harvesting trees as defined in claim 8 furtherincluding sensing means for sensing the diameter of the portion of atree located in said delimbing mechanism and ejector means which areoperable to eject the remnant of the tree from the delimbing mechanismwhen said sensing means senses the diameter of the tree to be below apredetermined diameter.
 13. Apparatus for harvesting trees as defined inclaim 8 wherein said means for effecting movement of said clampingmechanism toward and away from said delimbing mechanism includes fluidpower means and a pulley-cable arrangement which is operativelyassociated with said clamping mechanism, said fluid power means beingoperable to effect movement of said pulley-cable arrangement to therebyeffect movement of said clamping means toward and away from saiddelimbing mechanism.
 14. Apparatus for harvesting trees as defined inclaim 8 wherein said means for effecting movement of said cuttingmechanism toward said delimbing mechanism includes fluid power means formoving said cutting mechanism toward and away from said delimbingmechanism.
 15. Apparatus for harvesting trees as defined in claim 8further including a bunk mechanism which is operable to receive andstore a plurality of bolts therein after delimbing thereof. 16.Apparatus for harvesting trees as defined in claim 8 further including areceiver mechanism which is operable to receive a felled tree and locatethe trunk of the felled tree in said delimbing mechanism.
 17. Apparatusfor harvesting trees as defined in claim 16 wherein said supportcomprises a self-propelled vehicle which has a boom mechanism thereonfor engaging with a felled tree and moving the felled tree to saidreceiver mechanism.
 18. Apparatus for use in harvesting trees comprisinga delimbing mechanism for delimbing a felled tree upon relative movementbetween the tree and the delimbing mechanism, said delimbing mechanismincluding a first delimbing knife for delimbing a first portion of theouter circumference of the tree, a second delimbing knife for delimbingat least a second portion of the outer circumference of the tree, andmeans for effecting movement of said second delimbing knife intoengagement with the tree and for maintaining said second delimbing knifein engagement with the tree as the diameter of the portion of the treewith which it is engaged varies; said second delimbing knife having aconcave surface formed thereon for engaging a first portion of the treeand a convex surface formed thereon for engaging another portion of thetree, engagement of said concave and convex surfaces with the tree beingeffective to locate the center of the tree in a predetermined planewhich has a fixed relationship with said first delimbing knife while thetree is being delimbed thereby and maintaining the center of the tree insaid plane while delimbing is being accomplished and the tree diameterencoUntering the delimbing mechanism varies.
 19. Apparatus for use inharvesting trees as defined in claim 18 wherein said delimbing mechanismfurther includes a third delimbing knife for delimbing a third portionof the outer circumference of the tree.
 20. Apparatus for use inharvesting trees comprising a delimbing mechanism for delimbing a felledtree upon relative movement between the tree and the delimbingmechanism; said delimbing mechanism including a first delimbing knifefor delimbing a first portion of the outer circumference of the tree, asecond delimbing knife for delimbing at least a second portion of theouter circumference of the tree, first fluid means for effectingmovement of said second delimbing knife into engagement with the tree,second fluid means for continuously urging said second delimbing knifeinto engagement with the tree after said second delimbing knife is movedinto engagement with the tree by said first fluid means to maintain saidsecond delimbing knife in engagement with the tree as the diameter ofthe portion of the tree received in said delimbing mechanism varies dueto said relative movement between the tree and said delimbing mechanism,and means for locating the center of the tree in a predetermined planewhich has a fixed relationship with said first delimbing knife while thetree is being delimbed thereby and maintaining the center of the tree insaid plane while delimbing is being accomplished and the tree diametervaries.
 21. Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 20wherein said delimbing mechanism further includes a third delimbingknife for delimbing a third portion of the outer circumference of thetree.
 22. Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 20further including third fluid means for continuously urging said thirddelimbing knife into engagement with the tree after said seconddelimbing knife is moved into engagement with the tree by said firstfluid means so that said third fluid means maintains said thirddelimbing knife in engagement with the tree as the diameter of theportion of the tree received in said delimbing mechanism varies due tosaid relative movement between the tree and said delimbing mechanism.23. Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 18 furtherincluding a cutting mechanism for cutting the tree into bolts having apredetermined length after the tree has been delimbed in said delimbingmechanism.
 24. Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim23 wherein said cutting mechanism and said delimbing mechanism aresupported on a pivotable boom assembly.
 25. Apparatus for use inharvesting trees as defined in claim 24 further including a clampingmechanism supported by said boom assembly for movement toward and awayfrom said delimbing mechanism and operable to engage with the tree andeffect movement of the tree relative to said delimbing mechanism tothereby effect delimbing of the tree.
 26. Apparatus for use inharvesting trees as defined in claim 25 wherein said cutting mechanismis supported for movement upon said boom assembly and is movable towardsaid delimbing mechanism when said clamping mechanism moves toward saiddelimbing mechanism.
 27. Apparatus for use in harvesting trees asdefined in claim 26 further including a second boom assembly havingcutting and clamping means thereon for felling a standing tree andeffecting movement of the tree, a receiver mechanism for receiving afelled tree from said clamping means on said second boom assembly andoperable to transfer the tree to said delimbing mechanism.
 28. Apparatusfor use in harvesting trees comprising a delimbing mechanism fordelimbing a tree which is moved relative to said delimbing mechanism,said delimbing mechanism including a first delimbing knife for delimbinga first portion of the outer circumference of the tree, a seconddelimbing knife for delimbing a second portion of the outercircumference of the tree, a third delimbing knife for delImbing a thirdportion of the outer circumference of the tree, said second and thirddelimbing knives being supported for pivotal movement about a commonaxis from a retracted position to a working position, and means formoving said second and third delimbing knives about said common axisrelative to said first delimbing knife from the retracted position intoworking engagement with the tree and for maintaining said second andthird delimbing knives against the tree as the diameter of the portionof the tree with which they are engaged varies.
 29. Apparatus for use inharvesting trees as defined in claim 28 wherein said means for movingsaid second and third delimbing knives includes first fluid means whichwhen actuated effect pivotable movement of said second delimbing knifeabout said common axis to thereby effect engagement of said seconddelimbing knife with the tree.
 30. Apparatus for use in harvesting treesas defined in claim 29 wherein said means for urging said second andthird delimbing knives against the tree includes second and third fluidmeans for continuously urging said second and third delimbing knives,respectively, about said common axis after said first fluid means havebeen actuated to effect initial engagement of said second knife with thetree to thereby maintain the second and third delimbing knives againstthe tree as the diameter of the portion of the tree with which they areengaged varies due to the relative movement of the tree and thedelimbing mechanism.
 31. Apparatus for use in harvesting trees asdefined in claim 28 wherein said second delimbing knife is furtheroperable to move into engagement with the tree and effect delimbing of afourth portion of the outer circumference of the tree which is spacedapart from the second portion of the tree with which said seconddelimbing knife engages, and said third delimbing knife is operable toeffect delimbing on the third portion of the outer circumference of thetree which extends between said second and fourth portions of the outercircumference of the tree.
 32. Apparatus for use in harvesting trees asdefined in claim 28 wherein said second delimbing knife is furtheroperable to effect delimbing of a fourth portion of the outercircumference of the tree which extends between the first and thirdportions and is contiguous therewith and said first delimbing knife isoperable to effect delimbing of the first portion of the outercircumference of the tree which extends between and is contiguous to thesecond and fourth portions of the outer circumference of the tree sothat said first, second, and third delimbing knives cooperate tosurround the tree as it passes through said delimbing mechanism tothereby effect removal of all limbs on the tree as it passes through thedelimbing mechanism.
 33. Apparatus for use in harvesting trees asdefined in claim 28 wherein said first delimbing knife is movable toeject from said delimbing mechanism a portion of the tree which has adiameter which has a magnitude less than a predetermined magnitude. 34.Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 33 furtherincluding sensing means responsive to movement of said second delimbingknife about said common axis and which is operable to sense and effectactuation of said first delimbing knife to effect ejectment of a portionof the tree when the diameter of the portion of the tree which is movingthrough said delimbing mechanism is below a predetermined magnitude. 35.Apparatus for use in harvesting trees comprising a support, atree-processing boom carried by said support, a delimbing mechanismsupported on one end of said boom and which is adapted to receive a treeand effect delimbing of the tree upon relative movement between saiddelimbing mechanism and the tree, a clamping mechanism carried by saidboom and movable relative thereto, said clamping mechanism includingmeans for engaging the trunk of the tree and for moving the treerelative to said boom, means supporting said bOom for pivotal movementabout a substantially horizontal axis, and a fluid cylinder operativelyassociated with said tree-processing boom for acting on saidtree-processing boom when a tree is supported thereon and for enablingsaid tree-processing boom to assume a position which is substantiallyparallel to the position assumed by the tree supported thereon. 36.Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 35 furtherincluding a cutting mechanism supported on said tree-processing boom andoperable to cut bolts of a predetermined length from the delimbedportion of the tree.
 37. Apparatus for use in harvesting trees asdefined in claim 36 further including a bunk mechanism located on saidsupport adjacent said clamping and cutting mechanisms and operable toreceive bolts of a predetermined length therefrom and store the boltstherein.
 38. Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim35 wherein said tree-processing boom has a T-shaped cross-sectionalconfiguration which is operable to rigidly support for movement thereonsaid clamping mechanism.
 39. Apparatus for use in harvesting trees asdefined in claim 35 wherein said support comprises a self-propelledvehicle having tree-felling and tree-gripping means thereon for fellingand gripping a tree and moving a tree to a position in which it may bereceived by said delimbing mechanism.
 40. Apparatus for use inharvesting trees comprising a tree-processing means for processing atree including a cutting mechanism for cutting the tree into bolts of apredetermined length, and a bunk mechanism for receiving the bolts ofthe tree, said bunk mechanism being operable to receive and store aplurality of bolts therein and being actuatable to dump the plurality ofbolts, said bunk mechanism including support means, at least a pair ofsubstantially arcuate members extending downwardly from said supportmeans and cooperating to support the bolts, and a mechanism for movingsaid members endwise along a path upwardly relative to said supportmeans to thereby effect dumping of said bolts therefrom.
 41. Apparatusfor use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 40 wherein said arcuatemembers have members rigidly affixed thereto and said mechanism formoving said arcuate members includes a rotatable sprocket for rotatingand engaging with said members to thereby effect endwise movement ofsaid arcuate members.
 42. Apparatus for use in harvesting trees asdefined in claim 41 wherein said support means further includes meanswhich supports said arcuate members and absorbs the shock of boltsfalling thereon from said cutting mechanism to thereby prevent damage tosaid mechanism for moving said members.
 43. Apparatus for use inharvesting trees as defined in claim 40 wherein said arcuate membersinclude arcuate arm members which are movable arcuately in an upwardlydirection to effect dumping of bolts from said bunk mechanism byimparting a rolling motion to the bolts to thereby prevent wedging ofthe bolts in the bunk mechanism.
 44. Apparatus for use in harvestingtrees as defined in claim 40 further including a delimbing mechanism fordelimbing a tree upon relative movement between the tree and thedelimbiNg mechanism.
 45. Apparatus for use in harvesting trees asdefined in claim 44 further including a clamping mechanism for engagingwith a portion of a tree in said delimbing mechanism and moving the treerelative to said delimbing mechanism to thereby effect delimbing of thetree.
 46. Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 45wherein said cutting mechanism is located between said delimbingmechanism and said clamping mechanism, said clamping mechanism ismovable toward and away from said delimbing mechanism and said cuttingmechanism is movable toward and away from said delimbing mechanism inresponse to movement of said clamping mechanism toward and away fromsaid delimbing mechanism.